AR Rahman condoles demise of  Telugu music composer Raj

AR Rahman took to his social media handle to pay tribute to music composer Thotakura Somaraju alias Raj, who passed away in Hyderabad on Sunday due to a heart attack.

Taking to social media handle, Rahman wrote, "Rest in peace Somaraju Garu …I can never forget the pleasant memories working with Raj-Koti in the 80s."

The composer, who has prominently worked through the 80s and the 90s, suffered a bad fall in the bathroom and immediately had a cardiac arrest due to shock, collapsing on the bathroom floor. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was declared dead. Raj is survived by his wife and their three daughters, Deepthi, Divya, and Swetha. 

Raj was known for collaborating with music composer Koti. Raj was 68. The duo’s first film together was Pralaya Garjana (1982). They went on to work in 180 films over the last 13 years, composing more than 3000 songs. Out of these 3000 songs, around 2500 songs, were sung by SP Balasubrahmanyam and KS Chithra. 

Some of their well-known albums from that time include Yamudiki Mogudu (1988), Jayammu Nishchayammu Ra (1989), Khaidi No 786 (1988), Bava Bamaridi (1993), Muta Mestri (1993) and Hello Brother (1994). For their work in Hello Brother, the duo has won the Nandi Award for Best Music Direction. AR Rahman and Mani Sharma have also worked under Raj-Koti in the nascent stages of their career as programmers. Raj and Koti split up amicably in 1995, citing creative differences. Sisindri (1995) is the only well-known album of Raj as a solo composer. He composed music till 2002 before leaving the industry altogether. Raj’s last rites will take place in Maha Prasthanam, Hyderabad, on Monday.